Re: Newly-diagnosed 77-yrs old

[Guest guest]

Hi:

It's very thoughtful of you to write in for your

mother. We have members here of all ages - perhaps she

would like to write in as well. This group has been a

great asset in my life and dealing with RA, and the

people here have helped me a great deal with their

unconditional support, compassion, and information.

Methotrexate does sound a bit scary to most people, as

it is also used for treatment of cancer. However, the

amount of Mtx that we take for RA is far less than

that given to treat cancer. There are some side

effects like hair thinning, fragile skin, mouth sores,

or stomach problems. I have had the hair thinning and

fragile skin, but no problems with my stomach. If she

were to have problems with her stomach on oral dosage,

there is injectible Mtx as well. I also have asthma

and high blood pressure, and am taking Methotrexate,

along with Enbrel, for my RA. She would need to get a

baseline chest x-ray before starting the Mtx. I have

not had any lung problems with the Mtx.

Methotrexate is one of the DMARD (disease modifying

drugs) that is necessary in slowing down the

progression of the RA and joint destruction. Steroids

or pain meds alone cannot fight RA. I know that at her

age it is scary to think of adding another drug, but

if she can get the disease under control, then she

will have less pain. It's a big decision to make, but

hopefully what I have written will give you some

information which will help.

Best of luck to you both -

Kathe in CA

--- nynypa <nynypa@...> wrote:

> My Mother at 77 was diagnosed in August with RA.

> She was prescribed

> Medrol, 8 mg/day (4 a.m. - 4 p.m.) The

> Rheumatologist has tapered

> the dosage to 6 mg. (4 a.m - 2 p.m.) then to 4 mg.

> (2 a.m. - 2

> p.m.). But every time the dose goes down to 4 mg,

> she has a flare.

> Then she is taken back up to 8, and then down again.

> The Dr. thought

> he could control her symptoms with 4 mg of Medrol,

> but apparently

> not. Over the course of steriod treatment, her

> blood pressure has

> risen, and she is retaining fluid. She can no

> longer get up from a

> chair nor in and out of a bathtub because of

> weakness in her leg

> muscles. All this since August (5 months). Blood

> pressure meds have

> been increased and hydrochlorathyazide and Potassium

> have been

> added. The Dr. now wants to put her on

> Methotrexate. The

> information on the drug scars the daylights out of

> us and seems so

> dangerous for a 77-year-old with asthma who takes 12

> other

> medications daily.

>

> I think all of you whose letters I have read are so

> brave to struggle

> with such a disease. I want my Mother to do well

> and to regain her

> independence, but I fear that these drugs might do

> her more harm than

> good and am very confused by all of this.

>

> Any thoughts? Anyone else not do well on Medrol?

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe in CA

__________________________________

for Good - Make a difference this year.

http://brand./cybergivingweek2005/

[Guest guest]

So sorry to hear about your mother.

I'm wondering why the rheumatologist relied only on Medrol to treat your

mother's RA and didn't start methotrexate or another disease-modifying

antirheumatic drug (DMARD) earlier.

I'd seek a second opinion from another rheumatologist.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] Newly-diagnosed 77-yrs old

My Mother at 77 was diagnosed in August with RA. She was prescribed

Medrol, 8 mg/day (4 a.m. - 4 p.m.) The Rheumatologist has tapered

the dosage to 6 mg. (4 a.m - 2 p.m.) then to 4 mg. (2 a.m. - 2

p.m.). But every time the dose goes down to 4 mg, she has a flare.

Then she is taken back up to 8, and then down again. The Dr. thought

he could control her symptoms with 4 mg of Medrol, but apparently

not. Over the course of steriod treatment, her blood pressure has

risen, and she is retaining fluid. She can no longer get up from a

chair nor in and out of a bathtub because of weakness in her leg

muscles. All this since August (5 months). Blood pressure meds have

been increased and hydrochlorathyazide and Potassium have been

added. The Dr. now wants to put her on Methotrexate. The

information on the drug scars the daylights out of us and seems so

dangerous for a 77-year-old with asthma who takes 12 other

medications daily.

I think all of you whose letters I have read are so brave to struggle

with such a disease. I want my Mother to do well and to regain her

independence, but I fear that these drugs might do her more harm than

good and am very confused by all of this.

Any thoughts? Anyone else not do well on Medrol?